20 arrests made following Sunderland shooting incident

David Allison

Police have now arrested 20 people following a shooting in Sunderland.

An investigation was launched last Monday after a window was shot at an address in Edgmond Court in Hollycarrside.

On Saturday, a further arrest was made, of a 28 year-old man, bringing the total to 20, with three people previously charged.

Following the shooting police are continuing to pursue those suspected of being involved - whether directly or part of a wider criminal network.

During Saturday six houses were searched and both cannabis and amphetamine drugs were recovered.

Ten vehicles were stopped and checked in the Sunderland area as part of this and £2,400 in cash was seized by officers.

Earlier this week a business premises and eight houses were searched in Sunderland, and police activity has been carried out in Newcastle with houses searched and arrests on Tyneside.

A man, aged 27, appeared before North Tyneside Magistrates' Court charged with robbery, burglary, possession of a firearm, shotgun and ammunition, threatening a person with a bladed article and driving with no insurance.

A second man, aged 51, has been charged with possession of a firearm, amphetamines and cannabis.

Both men, who are from Newcastle, were remanded in custody until March 30.

A third man, aged 37, was charged with robbery and appeared at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court on Friday.

He has also been remanded.

Of the others arrested, two remain in police custody.

Chief Inspector Jerry Pearson, of Southern Area Command, said: "We will continue with this type of police action as long as is necessary.

"We are determined to do all we can to find those who have been involved in this criminal activity and bring them before the courts.

"We want to reassure our communities that we are making every effort to tackle those responsible and anyone who is concerned is asked to speak to an officer on patrol, they are there to answer their concerns."